Scars after a procedure: how they evolve and what you can do

How does a scar change during the first year after a procedure, what helps with care and when is it best to get in touch? Explained by the doctors of ACLINIC in Oostkamp.

Every incision in the skin leaves a scar. That also applies to aesthetic surgery. A scar is not a flaw in the healing process, it is the way the skin closes a wound. How it looks after a year depends on your skin, the location on the body and the care. In this article you will read how a scar evolves and what you can do yourself.

How a scar develops

When the skin is cut, the body closes the wound with new connective tissue. That tissue consists mainly of collagen. It is less elastic than the original skin and contains no hair follicles or sweat glands. That is why a scar always looks somewhat different from the skin next to it.

Where possible, the doctor places an incision in a natural fold or in a place that is covered by clothing. With an abdominoplasty, for example, the scar lies low in the lower abdomen, with a breast augmentation often in the fold under the breast, and with a facelift around the ear.

The course over time

A scar keeps changing long after the wound has closed.

A scar in the first year

1

The first weeks

The wound closes. The scar is thin, red and sometimes somewhat swollen. You follow the wound care and the agreements about the sutures.
2

Two to six months

The scar often becomes somewhat thicker, redder and firmer. That is part of the healing, while the body produces collagen.
3

Six to twelve months

The scar gradually becomes lighter, flatter and more supple.
4

After a year

The scar usually has its final appearance. It remains visible, but is generally less noticeable.

Many people are startled in the second or third month, when the scar becomes redder and firmer than it was at the start. That is a normal phase. The patience that a scar requires is often underestimated.

What supports the care

You can contribute yourself to the healing of a scar:

Follow the wound care. Keep the wound clean and follow the instructions about dressings, showering and sutures.
Avoid tension. Do not stretch the wound during the first weeks. That is why there are agreements about lifting, sports and movement.
Silicone. A silicone gel or silicone patch keeps the scar hydrated and can help it become flatter and more supple. You start with it as soon as the wound is completely closed and your doctor allows it.
Massage. After a few weeks a gentle massage can make the scar more supple. Ask the doctor when you can start with that.
Do not smoke. Smoking reduces the blood supply to the skin and slows down wound healing.

Protect a scar from the sun

A fresh scar easily darkens under the influence of UV radiation, and that discolouration can be permanent. Therefore protect the scar from the sun during the first year. A sunscreen with a high protection factor helps. Clothing only protects if the fabric blocks UV. Thin or light fabric lets UV through, dense or dark fabric protects better.

When a scar takes a different course

Sometimes a scar becomes thicker than expected. A hypertrophic scar is thickened and red, but stays within the boundaries of the original wound. It often improves by itself over time. A keloid does grow beyond the edge of the original wound. Keloid scars occur more often in dark skin and when they run in the family. Tell the doctor beforehand if you have a predisposition to that.

Get in touch when a scar itches and keeps growing, becomes painful or does not start to improve after a few months. Treatments are possible, such as silicone, pressure dressings, injections or in some cases a correction. Your doctor will look at what suits your scar.

Realistic expectations

A scar does not disappear. It does become lighter, flatter and more supple. How it eventually looks differs from person to person and nobody can predict it precisely in advance. During the consultation the doctor will discuss where the scar will be and roughly how long it will be.

Scars in different places

Not every scar heals in the same way. The skin of the eyelids is thin and usually heals with a fine, barely visible scar. In places where the skin moves a lot or is under tension, such as the chest, the shoulders and the back, scars more often become wider or thicker. Age also plays a role. Young skin produces a lot of collagen, which sometimes makes a scar firmer than in older skin.

Questions you can ask

Where will my scar be, and how long will it be? How long do I wear a dressing or patch? When may I start with silicone or massage? What do I do if my scar is still thick and red after three months? Who can I call with a question about my scar?

Making an appointment

Whether this treatment suits your situation can only be assessed by a doctor after an examination. Want to know more about your situation? Make an appointment for a consultation.

Call us: 050 97 79 30

Gruuthuselaan 7, 8020 Oostkamp

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This information is general in nature and does not replace a personal consultation.